The Dallas Stars have officially kicked off their offseason shenanigans. Was their first trade a smart one?
Just a few hours ago, I finished up an article about recent Dallas Stars news by telling everyone to keep their eyes and ears peeled because the offseason was approaching. I did not expect it to already be at the front door.
The Stars just kicked off the moving players part of the offseason moments ago when they traded the negotiating rights to pending UFA defenseman Alex Goligoski to the Arizona Coyotes. In exchange, Dallas receives a fifth-round draft pick for the 2016 NHL entry draft which is just eight days away.
The Dallas Stars have traded the negotiating rights to D Alex Goligoski – a pending UFA – to Arizona for a 2016 fifth-round pick.
— Mark Stepneski (@StarsInsideEdge) June 16, 2016
Once the news broke, something happens that tends to happen with all trades: debate. Dallas Stars fans and even some outside opinions began firing back and forth on whether this was a smart deal for the Stars to make.
There are definitely two sides to this story.
On the one hand, the Stars are truly going to miss Goligoski for more than one reason. For all of the people who are parading and celebrating on Twitter for getting rid of “Goalagainstski,” tell me who is taking over Goligoski’s spot now?
Who on the Dallas Stars’ defense is ready to eat up to 26-28 minutes a game when needed, contribute 35-40 points a season, help run a power play, and play an excellent two-way game all while providing the leadership worth an assistant captain lettering?
He’s was the leader of the Dallas Stars defense this past season, and has always been willing to do whatever the team needs him to. He will definitely be missed and leave a hole in the defense that a rookie will have some serious trouble filling.
Most of the people who are cheering for his departure are the ones who remember nothing more than his errors. Sure he struggled down the stretch and in the playoffs to produce shutdown defense, but his contributions span much further than a couple of games. We’re talking years here. You can’t degrade a player because of one or two screw-ups when they do so many other productive and effective things.
But in the end, the writing was on the wall. The bottom line is that the Dallas Stars have cap space issues and had to clear up some space. They have a Jamie Benn extension coming up that will require at least $4 million in cap space. Losing Goligoski sheds $4.6 million.
The fact of the matter is that Alex Goligoski is 30 years old, still has plenty of miles left, and has a lot to offer any hockey club. That being said, he was going to demand a high price on the open market (probably somewhere in the $5-6 million range). The Stars have enough trouble already with a plethora of free agents and contract extensions ahead, so Goligoski was unlikely.
Everyone had the thought in their mind that the Stars were going to target Goligoski, and it would have been a smart idea. But the cap was just too tight and there were too many outside factors. The Dallas Stars will definitely miss him on the blue line, and it was a pleasure to watch him over the past five years.
All of that being said, it was a smart move by general manager Jim Nill to get something in return instead of just letting Goligoski float into free agency. Nill simply did what the San Jose Sharks did with Antti Niemi last offseason during the draft. The Sharks traded Niemi’s negotiating rights to Dallas in exchange for a seventh-round pick. Niemi was on the verge of becoming a UFA.
And it also seems as though the trade was accepted on both sides. It’s not like Goligoski was forced to leave unexpectedly or was begging to get out. Check the tweet below for further evidence.
Goligoski tells me he's Open to anything, want a good fit on a team heading in right direction. Will visit AZ on Monday Tues & go from there
— Josh Rimer (@JoshRimerPR) June 16, 2016
The hockey business is a fun one, but always has its disappointing moments. The Dallas Stars community will miss a dedicated solder in Alex Goligoski, but it was ultimately the best move for the franchise.
must read: Stars Would Be Crazy To Let Go Of All UFA Defensemen
It’s always sad to see a player move on, especially with the team on the rise as they are. But the Stars are making the best moves, and Jim Nill knows how it goes. I think it is safe to say he has gained everyone’s trust. Enjoy the desert, Goligoski. Oh, and make some serious bank. You’ve earned it!
Next: Stars Newsroom: Preseason, Razor, Strader, And Much More
But it’s time to move on, Stars fans. Who knows what will happen from here. The Stars now have three unrestricted free agents on their defensive roster, and it will be interesting to see what they do from here. Jason Demers, Kris Russell, and Jordie Benn: you’re up next.